You are the coach in Game 7 of the 2008 Finals, no time left on the clock, and you’re down two, but your point guard got fouled hard driving on the final play of the game, landing on his shooting shoulder.

 

He can’t go to the free-throw line.

 

You need two free throws to extend the game.

 

And we’ll give you the unique opportunity to pick any player in the game today to take that game into overtime.

 

Who’s it going to be?

 

There are lots of ways to look at it. There are players who thrive in those situations, although not particularly great free-throw shooters, and great free-throw shooters who suddenly get leaden elbows as the clock ticks down.

 

Just looking at this year’s percentages, Peja Stojakovic, Ben Gordon and Ray Allen are the top three with any number of attempts. Although Stojakovic is on the low end in free throws taken, and he’s faded so dramatically from being considered a big-time player, it’s hard to put him in that category. Gordon is really streaky, and Allen, although consistently one of the all-time greats overall, has had his moments of shooting blanks in clutch.

 

The next two on the list for this year’s numbers, and not coincidentally – any numbers career-wise, really – there are Chauncey Billups and Steve Nash. They may just be the top two on everybody’s list, although Nash has never been to the Finals, while Billups has excelled in the Finals twice.

 

Or you might even consider a guy who has never been a star and probably wouldn’t even be in the discussion unless looking at the numbers this season. He is certainly tested over time in the Finals and always a supreme free-throw shooter in the clutch – ageless Derek Fisher. Two others bigger stars in a comparable shooting range under those circumstances would have to be Richard Hamilton and Manu Ginobili.

 

A couple of rising talents are also high among this season’s producers from the charity stripe, Caron Butler and Chris Paul. Butler has shattered the myths about his inability to hold up physically in this league, with his physical and mental toughness taking his talent to All-Star level. Paul is simply becoming a star in every aspect of the game, but has no postseason experience, which will change this season provided the Hornets stay on course.

 

Although it’s a ridiculous reason to even consider them, the two best-shooting big men ever – Dirk Nowitzki and Yao Ming -- are right there statistically. But Dirk has gotten pulverized for postseason struggles, and Yao never gets far enough to see it through. Nonetheless, they are great, great shooters from the free-throw line and otherwise.

Then you have the three best perimeter players in the game – Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.  Bryant is clearly the best of this bunch, if only because he’s the best pure shooter and so unflappable. James’ free-throw woes have been well documented, and with so many other choices, he’d be tough to justify. The same goes for Wade, particularly since he’s shooting free throws at a career low this season.

 

That’s a top 10, and just for good measure, and a purely competitive standpoint, it would be tough to ignore Allen Iverson or Baron Davis. Iverson is much more battle-tested in the postseason, while Davis is certainly approaching that status. Statistically speaking, though, Iverson is just a better free-throw shooter.

 

As for me, well, I didn’t have to go very far down the list. I’m going with Mr. Big Shot – Billups. He’s been there, done that, and he’ll do it again. He’ll take you into overtime every time.